Enough Picking on Michael Phelps Already
Posted: Monday, February 09, 2009
by Terry Mitchell
http://commenterry.blogs.com
First of all, I want to say I've never been one to become awestruck by an accomplished athlete like Michael Phelps. In fact, I kind of enjoy seeing people who have been so perfect in everything they have done get taken down a notch a two. It's one of my guilty pleasures.
In addition, I have difficultly relating to people who party regularly, especially those who drink too much or do illegal drugs. I've never even tried alcohol, much less marijuana, cocaine, or the like. I don't see the attraction.
Okay, so someone circulated a picture of him inhaling pot. Obviously he did something he shouldn't have done, but who did it hurt? Yes, it damaged his standing as a role model for children and young athletes, but that would not have been the case if someone hadn't been snooping into his private life. What we would not (and should not) have known, would not have hurt us.
I see the media as being the real antagonists here. They must think we care more about voyeurism than hard news. Then again, maybe they're right. Perhaps, then, the real problem lies with us.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)When you consider Phelps spent 90 percent of his early life training for obscene numbers of hours per day, every day, every year and won 8 gold medals he sacrificed his youth. He worked through his childhood to bring honor to the Olympics in a Communist country when we really needed the talent.Phelps did not live like a regular American young boy or man while training and has not had experiences that other boys did in that age group. We all have learned from experimenting and it is by our mistakes that we learn most vividly not by what we do right. I believe Kelloggs should be boycotted for dropping his contract and it is about time we are not dictated to by corporations. He has apologized in public, and I am sure has learned his lesson very clearly.If you consider all the big time players in baseball, hockey, basketball and any other sport that are using enhancement drugs, these players continue pushing product and no one is objecting not at least the corporate sponsors until it is discovered.It is unbelievable that the large corporate sponsors do not already know who is taking drugs or not because they do. They go along with it based on the player, his popularity with the public and feel they have the right to dictate the terms.I believe Phelps won his metal with sheer determination, and hard work the old fashion way and he deserves a break for one mistake. We are not all super humans and I for one am not eating Kelloggs cornflakes any more, too flaky for me.TerisTeris, thanks for commenting. I agree with about 90% of what you had to say. However, I think the suggestion about boycotting Kellogs goes a bit too far. That's kind of stuff makes one look kooky.
Nice comment from Teris. Anyway, can you imagine the high Micheal must have gotten considering the lung capacity he has as an olympic caliber swimmer? Just kidding Terry, I do get where you are coming from but he should have known better, at least in terms of his endorcement deals. The media always goes to these extremes and kellogs did what they felt they had to do in light of the situation. These people who want to boycot kellogs are just as silly as those who have covered the story like it was all actually news worthy.My kids have been taught what to do when they are approached by someone to use drugs. No olympic swimmer can undo with this mom has spent a lifetime instilling into my children's minds. Maybe people should look at the parents who bring up kids that could be so easily influenced by someone in the media, maybe someone should do a story on that news worthy subject. Thanks for the article Terry, have a great day.Myla, this was not an attempt to take up for Michael Phelps or downplay what he did. I'm sure you already understand this, but I just want to make sure others do as well. Like I said, I've never done illegal drugs and I'm not a fan of those who do. It sounds like you're doing a great job of trying to keep your kids away from them. That's the way my parents were and I'm so grateful to them for it. I wish more parents were like you.But, like I said, the media has made a mountain out of a mole hill once again. However, I agree that the suggestion about boycotting Kellogs goes a bit too far. Like I told Teris, that kind of stuff makes one look kooky.
Terry, I don't condone what Phelps did either. I feel Kelloggs' decision is too radical but political. And the media . . . no comment. I believe Phelps has learned and taught a valuable lesson. Maybe others, especially kids, will think twice and get a visual of him when they are tempted to try anything illegal. I'm sorry it happened but I still admire his athleticism.Avis, thanks for your comments. They pretty much sum up the way I feel about the whole thing as well.
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